Colonel Hughes LodgingJoined on 11/21/2003 Category: Bed and Breakfast, LodgingA large loft-style guest apartment located in the charming little town of Hughes Springs, Texas. Comfortably sleeps 2-4 with plenty of "kick back and relax" room. Better than a B&B. From $75. per night.

This week I will discuss the interim charges recently issued to the House Committee on Insurance. Interim charges are the issues that the Speaker asks committees to study during the time between regular legislative sessions in order to make recommendations for legislation for the following legislative session. The charges are good indicators of what legislation the legislature will take up during the next session. Legislators rely on public input when crafting legislation, and it is important that they hear from people during the interim.
House Committee on Insurance

* Monitor the effects of the Affordable Care Act on the availability and affordability of private health insurance coverage in Texas and on the health insurance market.
* Evaluate options to expand transparency in the health care marketplace and facilitate informed consumer choice. Monitor the implementation of prior legislation to encourage transparency and adequacy of health care provider networks. Review prior legislative attempts to achieve greater transparency and the effectiveness of regulatory efforts to minimize the negative impacts on consumers related to out-of-network service disputes.
* Monitor the status of the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA). Consider options to enhance TWIA's ability to serve its statutory purpose and to fairly and equitably serve its policyholders. Include an evaluation of TWIA's operations, improved incentives for coverage by the private market, and effective use of reinsurance, bonds, and other financial devices.
* Examine opportunities to improve the resiliency of the Texas coast to withstand tropical storms. Study strategies to incentivize and encourage hazard mitigation, and consider the current state of building codes and how they might more effectively protect property and reduce losses. Examine the proper role of insurance in protecting the Texas coast. Coordinate as necessary with the joint interim committee created by HB 3459 (83R). (Joint charge with the House Committee on Land and Resource Management)
* Examine the following aspects of the Texas auto insurance market: methods to decrease the rate of uninsured drivers, including an evaluation of the success of current programs and possible improvements; and the benefits and drawbacks of prohibiting or restricting the use of "named driver" auto insurance policies.
* Make recommendations for any necessary reforms to address the long-term stability of the residual market for workers' compensation insurance in this state.

The House Committee on Insurance can be reached at 512-463-0788. For more information on these charges or any other matter of state government, please contact my office by writing to P.O. Box 2910, Austin, TX 78768-2910 or by emailing me at larry.phillips@house.state.tx.us. My district office phone number is (903) 891-7297.